Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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698. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 158 to 160, inclusive, of 28 May 2015, the reason for the decision not to continue providing a derogation to the junior certificate school programme which supports teachers and students in over 230 disadvantaged DEIS schools; her views that the proposed staffing levels and expertise for August 2015 will still be in a position to support all aspects of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23068/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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A limited alleviation of the application of the five year limit has been agreed to allow secondees to serve for a further limited period in my Department's support services. It is Department policy to apply alleviations to meet the business needs of each of the services, for example, to provide for continuity in management, planning and leadership and retention of expertise. Alleviations only arise where the business needs of the service require it and this position is reviewed annually. While decisions are taken following consultation with service management, the Department must ensure that its policies and priorities are supported and transacted through the programme of work agreed for each service annually.

My Department's support services have engaged in succession planning as a key strategy in ensuring continued support for teachers and school leaders in implementing national education policy priorities and CPD.